Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

College Football

Rapid Reaction: Tennessee pulls off thrilling comeback to beat Indiana in Gator Bowl

SDS Staff

By SDS Staff

Published:

Tennessee managed an incredible fourth-quarter comeback to beat Indiana 23-22 to win the Gator Bowl.

The Volunteers led 6-3 at halftime but quickly found themselves trailing by double digits in the second half. The Hoosiers led 22-9 as last as the 3:51 mark in the fourth quarter. UT had not scored a touchdown all night, but the offense came alive at just the right time as two rushing touchdowns bookended a key onside kick recovery.

The Volunteers finished the 2019 campaign 8-5 on a six-game win streak.

After the UT defense picked off Indiana QB Peyton Ramsey, Jarrett Guarantano marched the UT offense down the field, ut the five-play, 51-yard drive ended with a turnover on downs as the Vols failed to score on fourth-and-goal.

Tennessee’s first points came on the following drive. The Vols again managed to threaten deep in Hoosier territory, but couldn’t score the touchdown, only a field goal courtesy of Brent Cimaglia. Jeremy Pruitt’s squad would manage to only score on field goals in the first half, taking a 6-3 lead into the locker room at the break despite out-gaining Indiana 202-69 in total yards.

The second half got off to a disastrous start for the Vols as a three-point lead became a 10-point deficit in the third quarter. The Hoosiers opened the half with a 12-play, 69-yard touchdown drive to put Indiana up 10-6 after the extra point.

On UT’s first series of the quarter, Jarrett Guarantano tossed a pick-six that extended Indiana’s lead to 16-6.

After the interception, Guarantano was benched for freshman QB Brian Maurer. The Vols went on a 10-play, 49-yard drive on Maurer’s first possession, but still couldn’t manage a touchdown. Cimaglia’s first field goal cut it to 16-9. Guarantano returned with the Vols trailing 19-9 after another IU field goal.

Tennessee rallied in the fourth quarter. Quavaris Crouch came in to help the Vols punch it in over the goal line, capping off a 10-play, 82-yard drive, cutting Indiana’s lead to 22-15. The Vols went for one, with Cimaglia cutting it to 22-16.

UT then rolled the dice with an onside kick and recovered with 4:19 remaining in the game.

The Volunteers managed to score quickly, needing only three plays to go 54 yards. Eric Gray ran 16 yards for the game-tying score. Cimaglia’s extra point gave UT a 23-22 lead with 3:51 remaining.

Indiana drove into Tennessee territory, but Justus Logan missed a 52-yard field goal attempt with 2:12 left. Indiana got one more possession, but turned the ball over on downs with 18 seconds remaining, allowing Tennessee to take a knee in the victory formation.

SDS Staff

Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.

You might also like...

2025 RANKINGS

presented by rankings